East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School

East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School Avon Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 4BL

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 September 2017 24 September 2013

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Children are confident and happily approach staff, who care for them well.  Staff have good knowledge of their key children. They use children's interests to successfully plan for next steps of learning. For example, they use individual plans to detail children's progress and the activities they have enjoyed. Staff offer lots of praise and encouragement, which motivates children well to learn.  The management team closely monitors staff performance and children's next steps in learning. The manager uses support offered by external agencies to ensure that all children stay safe and make good progress. For example, the health visitor undertakes two-year-old checks at the setting and shares outcomes with the manager.  Parents share information about their children's progress at regular family events throughout the year. The provider has developed good strategies to support parents to share what children learn at home. For example, parents note down achievements at

p.1

This provision is good

home and staff celebrate these with children during group times at the setting.  Staff provide clear guidance for children about what is acceptable behaviour. Children of all ages demonstrate good behaviour and manners and participate in routines, such as tidying up.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 There are times when staff are not always efficient in the planning and organisation of creative activities for the younger children. During these times, children sometimes lose focus.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the preparation and organisation of creative activities to engage and motivate the youngest children.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the playrooms and the outdoor play area, and undertook a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the manager and the staff.  The inspector checked documents relating to suitability and qualifications of staff, and sampled documentation relating to welfare requirements, planning and children's progress.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager provides a good framework of policies and procedures to support practice. For example, she analyses children's progress to identify any weaknesses in teaching and those children requiring additional help. The manager holds team meetings and encourages staff to provide ideas for each child's next steps of learning. Staff receive regular appraisals and the manager encourages their professional development well. For example, two members of staff are currently attending leadership and management training to extend their knowledge and skills. The manager has successfully addressed the recommendations from the last inspection. For example, new parents undertake settling-in sessions when their child first starts, to talk to staff about their child's interests and development. Staff use this information well to plan next steps of learning. Safeguarding is effective. The manager ensures that staff know the procedures to follow if they have a

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have high expectations of what every child can achieve. Staff teach the children well. The play rooms have a wide variety of resources that are accessible to the children. Children are eager to investigate the varied experiences on offer, particularly in the outdoor environment. For example, children dig and build sandcastles in the large sand pit. Staff support this activity well by talking about the properties of wet and dry sand. They encourage the children to count each spade of sand and take turns to fill the bucket. Staff support children well to develop good communication and language skills. For example, staff remind children to look at a person and use eye contact when communicating. Younger children enjoy sensory activities. For example, they explore the properties of paint and vegetables during a vegetable-printing activity.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and settled. Staff talk to the children about the importance of following good hygiene routines. For example, staff remind them about washing away germs from their hands before mealtimes. Children enjoy nutritious snacks. Staff sit with children at lunchtime and use this opportunity well to talk about eating a healthy diet. Staff successfully use strategies to support good behaviour. For example, they observe children closely and intervene at an early stage to support negotiations between children to stop a situation escalating.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress. They develop confidence and are highly active learners. Young children make marks in paint, which supports the physical skills and coordination required for their future writing, and older children enjoy dance sessions. Children develop the skills they need for future learning, including going to school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY443628 Local authority Devon Inspection number 1062575 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person East-the-Water Stepping Stones Pre-School Committee

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 24 September 2013 Telephone number 01237475562

p.4

reference number

East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School registered in 2012. The pre-school is managed by a voluntary committee. It operates from a separate building in the grounds of the Pollyfield Community Centre in Bideford, Devon. It is open from 8am until 4pm on Monday to Friday, during term time only. The pre-school employs 10 members of staff, who work directly with the children. All hold appropriate early years qualifications.

p.4

reference number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

p.4

reference number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5